The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-17
AN IMPORTANT PROBLEM.
INTERESTING PHASE ASSUMED BY
THE PRESENT COTTON CROP.
Wrong in a Suggestion of a
o,3oo 900 Bale Crop, Unless New
and Unknown Methods of Compila-
ton Have Been Employed.

The latest number of the Commercial
Bulletin states that ''the crop problem has
assumed new and important phase, in
asmuch as very large percentage OF the
trade has not only commenced to array
itself against the official estimates, but il
sending for and obtaining quite substantial
| evidence that there must be something
wrong in suggestion Of q $500, 900 bale
crop unless new and unknown methods OF
compilation have been employed. On the
other hand, however, there are plenty who
have implicit faith in the figures as given,
or at least are quite willing TO accept them
for an operating basis, and on these diff
icrcnccs OF opinion il looks as though
there was some good trading ahead, espe-
cially rs large outside element is now in
the market and seems 10 be on the in
crease. Europe seemed TO hesitate some
what, and that, with reiteration OF ex-
preston antagOnistic 10 low crop figures,
undoubtedly checked further 'bullish'
feeling for the time being. Indeed, some
OF the bulls were talking very confident
ly, and now commence 10 figure that even
on iull crop estimates not exceeding 5000
900 to q, 100000 the prospective consump-
ton will want it all.
1--WE have been requested" says the
Commercial Bulletin, ito publish the fol-
lowing extracts from letter received by a
well known firm OF cotton brokers in this
city, which will be read with interest in
view OF the present conflicting crop esti-
mates
"'l have Just returned from ten days
trip, during which saw great many cot
ton fields and talked with number OF
people. Many fields had been picked
clean, Others were being picked over the
last time; but quite number TO my sur
prise, seemed not 10 have been picked ut
all. The weather in this section ior pick
ing has been Ms il made to order, and ]
have yet 10 hear OF one farmer who has
not made more cotton than he calculated
on six or seven weeks ago, and il has ceased
20 be q calculation, ms the excess has been
cribbcd. In this district lAIcmphis) we
have 10 compare ~ q whole with very flat
tcring prospects in July last, and with an
excellent crop last season. Six to eight
weeks ago general reports indicated that
the district would be- very short, owing TO
Aif NilAl iliilfi WIS lllllNt
planters were inclined TO put their eNpccta-
tons very low, but IN every instance
have heard Of they have realized more
than1hcy counted on; this, 10 my mind,
indicates an improvement but how much
il il difficult TO say. West Tennessee and
portion Of the Arkansas uplands arr un.
doubleday short OF last season and will pull
down the average Of the district; otherwise
this district would make much moro than
last season. The Mississippi bottoms have
an excellent crop, and am inclined 10 be-
licyc, though will not bc positive, that
the district will make as much and posi-
bly, more than last season.
MY brother tells me he cannot call IN
mind q single customer who expects To
make less cotton than last year. OF
course there airs lots Of people who will
make poor crops, but the question is, will
they more than offset the good crops9
These estimates are from men who do
their entire business with NJ. aud are as
near the facts ~ | can get, aud are given
IN support VI my statements hlSv,. In
the rituu,hr issued 10y our iirin IN New
York We gave what was our impression 40
the timc. We may have been in error.
but there is one thing | am satisfied
about and that il that the crop has inn
proved since our report was issued. In
the face u the New Orleans report, Just
issued, il would seen a bold act 10 express
the idea / hold about this crop. but
honestly believe they arc fully 100000
bales under what the crop will turn ont,
my Idea being about 10000. When
800 pounds OF seed cotton, after being
ginncd. turns ont 500 pound Of lint, cot.
ton X said 10 thirl iiscif' 4 large gin
man herr, who buys cotton in the seed
aud gins Il Tor profit, tells me that upland
cotton is turning out as HIGH as iorty or
fifty pounds over thinning itself that
river cotton Is running from 30 10 32l,
against J3l per cent "